U.S., EU spar in private on terrorism

[Stockholm]

Apparently the meeting last week was not the perfect picture of mutual understanding previously reported.

EU President and Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is reported to have had the following exchange after a delegate pointed out that there would surely be questions afterwards concerning discussion on US renditions and torture. Mr. Toumioja suggested that the topic had not been on the agenda and that there were a consensus on the points discussed. Apparently Ms. Rice did not settle for that:

According to the participant, Rice responded by saying all countries must keep up the fight against terrorism, noting that the discovery of an alleged plot in Britain last month to blow up transatlantic aircraft showed the persistent danger.

Tuomioja replied: "We all agree on the need to fight terrorism but we should do so in a way that does not create more terrorism in the future."

Rice shot back: "Let's deal with those who are trying to kill us now and leave the future for some other time."

Unwilling to leave her the last word as the meeting broke up, Tuomioja added: "The future is with us today."

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-09-25T171437Z_01_L25863099_RTRUKOC_0_US-SECURITY-EU-USA.xml&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage2

[Vidar]

1. ApplaudingTuomioja.